Off-balance-sheet financing instruments and non-recognized assets
In addition to the assets shown in the consolidated balance sheet, DB Group also uses off-balance-sheet financial instruments and assets that are not recognized in the balance sheet.
- To a small extent, we lease assets of low value on a short-term basis or with a variable fee structure for which no right of use or leasing liability must be taken into account under IFRS 16.
- We also sell smaller volumes of trade receivables, in which case the main opportunities and risks are split between DB Group and the purchasing bank. Under such factoring agreements, as of December 31, 2023, receivables amounting to € 260 million were (unchanged from last year) completely derecognized, and € 432 million (as of December 31, 2022: € 435 million) partially derecognized.
- With regard to the company pension scheme for employees, the liabilities under each retirement scheme are, to some extent, covered and netted by plan assets which are capable of being netted. As of December 31, 2023, total obligations amounted to € 5,643 million (as of December 31, 2022: € 7,173 million) and the fair value of plan assets was € 2,310 million (as of December 31, 2022: € 4,253 million). The balancing process leads to a reduction in total assets. The net obligation recognized as of December 31, 2023, on the balance sheet was € 3,492 million (as of December 31, 2022: € 2,970 million).
Additional information is available in the basic principles and methods section of the consolidated financial statements.
